Pawning Redefined

January isn’t exactly everyone’s favorite time of the year. A few days into 2019 and we already have to drag ourselves back to work. A few weeks into the month and most of our New Year’s Resolutions are forgotten, the holidays seem like forever ago and the spring season seems ages away. This is around the perfect time to give yourself a little treat to make it through these cold, tough days… but that’s the worst thing about this month: you’ve spent most of your money on Christmas and New Year’s Eve and now you’re broke.

So, how can you make the dark days a little brighter without spending a fortune?

Fun and Affordable Activities in January

Surprisingly, New York City doesn’t have to be expensive. There are a lot of cool things to do in January that don’t require spending a fortune, including ice skating at the rink in Bryant Park. If you need skates, you can rent them for only $20. The ice skating itself is free.

Another thing to add to your bucket list this January is attending the taping of one of your favorite TV shows, since a lot of popular TV shows are shot in the area. This unique experience is not only free, but also a way to do something cool without having to step outside and endure the cold January weather.

When you’re thinking about exploring the city by foot, January may not be your first choice of a time to do it. But now that the tourist season is over, you’ll find that the city is a lot calmer than the rest of the year, making a walking tour an even more interesting experience. All of the Free Tours by Foot are pay-as-you-like, meaning you choose how much, if anything, the tour was worth. Just make sure to pick one of the milder days for the walking tour.

Last but not least, what better way is there to treat yourself than enjoying a dinner at a 5-star restaurant, for ¼ of the price? During the NYC Restaurant Week, from January 21 till February 9th, you can eat in more than 300 of New York City’s best restaurants for less than $50.

Treat Yourself with Quick Extra Cash

The coldest month of the year becomes a lot more bearable when you have something to spend. Lending Organization Provident Loan Society has your back, no matter how broke the holidays have left you. Provident Loan Society is a not-for-profit organization that provides instant cash in exchange for collateral in the form of a.o. gold and diamond jewelry and fine watches. Whether you need $10 or $100,000, you can simply bring your collateral to one of their five offices in the city. In about 15 minutes, you’ll have enough money to treat yourself to a nice dinner in your favorite restaurant or a fun weekend trip to a warmer place. And before you know it, warmer days are coming up again.

About the author:

Daphne Striekwold is studying International Business & Languages in the Netherlands.

Hopefully you’ve had a wonderful Christmas and a spectacular New Year’s Eve. Now that the holidays are over and the new year has begun, it’s time to work on your New Year’s Resolutions. A common goal for 2019 is to spend less money. After those expensive holidays, it’s not a surprise that we plan to start saving up in January. But how can you turn a vague wish into an actual accomplished goal?

Setting the Goal

First of all, make sure that your goal is realistic. Of course, everyone would love to have an additional $10,000 to spend by the end of 2019, but if you’re young and just starting your career, this might be too big of a step. Starting with a smaller amount makes it easier to stay motivated.

A common mistake is to set a goal that is too general. If you want to stick to your resolution, it’s best to write down a specific aim. Instead of ‘I want to try and save money this year,’ go for ‘I will save $2,000 this year’.

Furthermore, while saving money may not exactly sound like a fun thing to do, your goal suddenly gets a lot more exciting when you link it to a purpose. When you write down how much you need in order to buy that new car you’ve had on your mind for a while or to finally make that trip to Bali, cutting back on your expenses doesn’t sound so bad anymore.

Sticking to Your Resolution

You’ve set your goal, now the only thing left to do is stick to it… for 12 long months. More difficult than it seems? Cut your end result into smaller goals. Setting a new goal for every month gives you an excuse for a little celebration to look forward to, 12 times a year. Make a list of your average monthly expenses and come up with a plan to differentiate between things you really need and things you could cut back on. After all, saving $200 a month sounds easier than $2,000 a year.

Quick Extra Cash with Provident Loan Society

Unfortunately, the month were we massively plan to save money is also the time of the year that we’re generally the brokest. Lending Organization Provident Loan Society can give you just the little extra support you need to start working on your goals. Provident Loan provides instant cash in exchange for collateral. All you have to do is bring your collateral to one of the five offices throughout the different boroughs of New York City and within twenty minutes, you walk out with as much cash as you need to start the year with. Moreover, as a not-for-profit organization, Provident Loan is able to provide lower fees and lower interest rates than her for-profit competitors. Talk about an easy way to save money!

About the author

Daphne Striekwold is studying International Business & Languages in The Netherlands.

The end of the year is getting closer. Maybe you’ve already made your New Year’s Resolutions and bought a special champagne for the occasion. Now, the only question is: where are you going to celebrate the start of 2019?

This is New York, so there will be more than enough fancy parties to attend. But they do come with a price tag, of up to $997,00 for a ball drop party or $3,700 for a table at an exclusive club. And all of this after you’ve generously spent most of your money on the holidays…

That said, it definitely is possible to make the end of 2018 both memorable and affordable. You just have to know where and how.

Watching the Ball Drop at Times Square

One of the most popular ways to spend New Year’s Eve is free: every year more than a million people gather together at Times Square to watch the famous ball drop, starting at 11:59 PM until 12:00 AM. You just have to make sure to get there in time: after 4:00 PM, it will likely be impossible to save yourself a good spot, since the streets will be blocked and the place will be packed with people who want to cross this unique experience off their bucket list.

Breathtaking Fireworks in Brooklyn

If you don’t want to spend 12 hours packed in the cold at Times Square, you can still enjoy the free firework show in Prospect Park, Brooklyn instead. The free event comes with live music and an amazing firework show starting at midnight. Thousands of visitors gather together each year to end the year in a memorable way.

Affordable Parties

Ending 2018 with a spectacular party doesn’t have to leave you starting 2019 with an empty wallet. There are lots of budget-friendly parties in the city. One of the popular options is this lovely cocktail spot in Alphabet City called The Wayland: for only $10 you can enjoy live music from 9:00 PM till midnight. You should also check out one of the parties in the other boroughs instead, since they are generally a lot cheaper. For example, for only $20 you can attend the party at Woodland in Brooklyn.

Quick Extra Cash to Introduce the New Year

Short on cash? No worries! With the help of Provident Loan Society, you can still end the year with a bang. Provident Loan Society is a not-for-profit lending organization that provides instant cash up to 100,000 in exchange for collateral. All you have to do is bring your collateral to one of the organization’s five offices through the city. Within 20 minutes, you walk out with enough cash to start the new year in a good way. Happy 2019!

About the author

Daphne Striekwold is studying International Business & Languages in the Netherlands.

During the last month of the year, the City that Never Sleeps transforms into a whole different world. Wherever you go, you will be greeted with Christmas lights, Jingle Bells playing and displays of Santa Claus in the windows. There is so much to do during the holiday season in New York City that it might be hard to choose. Here’s a list of places and activities you definitely need to check out before the new year begins.

Rockefeller Tree Lighting

The gigantic Christmas tree in the Rockefeller Center is a worldwide symbol of Christmas in New York City. This year, the traditional lighting ceremony takes place on November 28th. And the best part is that the tradition is completely free for anyone! Make sure to get there on time though, because thousands of people gather to attend the ceremony every year.

Enjoy the Miniature NY landmarks

The New York Botanical Garden in The Bronx become even more magical during the holiday seasons, when the Holiday Train Show takes place. This year, the exhibition focuses on Lower Manhattan. You can watch enchanting model trains make their way through a display of over 175 New York landmarks, such as the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge and the One World Trade Center. Tip: if you plan your visit on a weekday instead of during a weekend or holiday, you can save some money on your ticket.

Take a Ride on the Vintage Subway

Your daily Subway ride suddenly is a lot more fun when you take the F train on the weekends. Instead of regular trains, on certain days you can travel back in time by hopping on one of the Holiday Nostalgia Rides. The trains are decorated with Christmas wreaths and look just like they did 100 years ago, with yellow seats, advertisements straight out of the 1940s. Even some of the passengers on the train are dressed up traditionally for this special ride.

Quick Extra Cash to make the most of Holiday Season

December is the favorite month of many New Yorkers, but also the most expensive one. Luckily, Provident Loan Society is there to help you enjoy this wonderful season to the fullest. Provident Loan Society is a not-for-profit lending organization that provides instant cash in exchange for collateral. When you’re in need of some quick extra cash, all you have to do is bring your collateral to one of their five offices throughout the city. Within twenty minutes, you walk out with as many cash as you want to spend this month. Have fun!

About the AuthorDaphne Striekwold is studying International Business & Languages in the Netherlands.

December in New York City is defined by festive outdoor markets, bright Christmas lights and fun winter activities. So while it can be a cold and snowy month, there’s no excuse to not go outside and explore the wonderful season.

This month, throw on some warm and comfortable clothes, and get ready to explore the Big Apple with your friends. Best of all? You won’t have to break the bank to have a fun time.

Here, a to-go-to list of places that are (almost) free to visit: (more…)